I was thrilled to be given my own show of Desert Island Beauty products with our resident beauty expert Alison Young. The only thing is my desert island better be huge because I have a list a mile long of favourite beauty buys! It's so long, in fact, that instead of my show being one hour long it has been extended to an hour and a half this Thursday 9th July from 4pm!

We have so much choice at QVC that it's like being a kid in a candy store. I love trying out all sorts of things. I have always been very heavily into make-up and nail care (having been a qualified nail technician with masses of experience in stage make-up). I just love it. If I weren't a presenter now I think make-up artist would be in my top three of other jobs I might be doing.

I was never bothered by skincare, though. For years I just used any old thing but that's changed over the last couple of years as I now have concerns I didn't have when I first started at QVC! Now I'm a complete beauty junkie!

I really can't wait to show you what I've selected. People always ask me about my nails so we'll have my secret on the show! GHD will featuring too, and just masses more!

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16 Comments

Hi Catherine, your nails always look so lovely, i’ve just stareted on the OPI nail envy and my nails are now stronger than ever.
What do you use on your nails and how do you keep them in tip top condition?
Lots of love
Beverley x

Wow – to pick 3 products? That’s way too hard! I could probably give you a list of about 3,000…;)
I think if I was being really brutal though it would be
1. A’Kin Rose De Mai moisturiser
2. Laura Geller Balance and Brighten in Fair
3. Laura Geller Dream Creams Lip Palette
But in all honesty I’d need mascara and blusher too…and something to stop my hair going limp and..and…and
Take care – looking forward to your show at 4 and 5 today
Love from Kitty

Hi Beverley,
Nice to hear from you. Nail Envy transformed my nails. I used to have acrylic nails on all the time but decided to give OPI a try and it really paid off!
I also use Leighton Denny’s crystal files as they are very gentle on the natural nail unlike some traditional emery boards which have a high ‘grit’ and can tear and pull at the nail. To create my french manicure I always now use Leighton’s corrector fluid and brush. I love his products.
Nails Inc do some great colour collections and the formulation seems to ‘self level’ so as not to streak. You wait til you see the TSV for tomorrow from them!
OPI’s avoplex oil and Leighton Denny’s Slick Tips are fabulous cuticle oils and help to seal a polish nicely. I don’t go anywhere without a bottle in my bag.
Finally Seche Vite – never known a top coat like it. It creates almost a ‘gel’ like coating encasing the colour and prolonging the finish. It dries incredibly quickly, too. Word of warning, though, almost always seems to sell out! That’s why I can’t have it in today’s show, sadly!
I could go on and on but I have to dash for the train to work soon!
Hope that’s helpful. See you soon!
Love Catherine x

Hi Catherine,
Looking forward to your show later on today! I’m like you, a complete beauty/make up junkie although the same could be said for shoes, handbags, jewellery, clothes!!! LOL!
I’m gonna be cheeky here and instead of picking three items (far too hard to do!) I’m gonna pick three brands!
It would have to be:-
Decleor for skincare – wouldn’t be without their oil and night balm!
Philosophy for shower gels, body cream, lip glosses and perfume. They just smell so gorgeous and inner grace just makes me melt!
Bare Escentuals for make up, kind to the skin and even good for my extremely dry skin.
Like you my desert island would be have to be huge!
Have a good show!
Angela xxx

Hi Catherine, enjoyed the show with Alison, heard you mention you are on a diet, could you please tell me more about it, you look like you’ve lost loads of weight,i’ve tried loads of diets without success please tell me what are these sachets you were talking about,
all the best
Dee.

Hi Catherine!
loved the show today and thought you looked amazing.Like you i love Nail Envy and couldn’t imagine life without it!So that would be my first desert island must have. My second would be Liz Earle’s cleanse and polish, i’ve tried so many different cleansers and this one is by far the best. And last but not least i would chose Pure Grace by Philosophy, it has such a clean and natural perfume i think its beautiful.
Take care
Love Linda x

Hi Catherine,
You recently mentioned (on a Pro-Strong Show) that you had used a ‘different system’ to help you achieve your beautiful natural nails – and that for the first time, you had actually achieved an apex to your nails. Your comments really struck a chord with me as I too, have ski-slope nails that are also bendy and frequently bend back on themselves when picking things up – and I’m sure you know just how painful that can be! I’d like to thank you for your honesty (during the Pro-Strong Show) and, like you, would LOVE to achieve healthy, attractive nails that have an apex. I hope you don’t think I’m being too cheeky, but I would LOVE to know which system and products you are are currently using to help achieve and maintain your beautiful, long, natural nails. I too am currently using OPI (Nail Envy) plus Leighton Denny’s Slick Tips but I’d be intrigued to know which products you are using and whether you have a particular method or frequency for application. Your help would be MUCH appreciated! Many thanks. Kindest regards, Sonia x

Hi Catherine
Sadly I missed your show as was travelling home from a week in the Lake District!
I’m such a beauty junkie how hard to pick just 3!
Ok, well it would have to be:
Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish
Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliners
Bare Escentuals Buxom lipgloss
Clare x

Hi Catherine, loved your show with Alison yesterday, and thought that your honesty about the whole thing was great. You mentioned about a new diet coming soon, perhaps you could give some more information about it. I have have been trying to lose baby fat for quite a while!
PS – I’d just love your job – all the opportunities to try new beauty products.
Love
Mandy x

Hi Katherine
I do hope that you are well. I really enjoyed watching part of your show – I was having to look after my son at the same time – one eye on each of you!!
I was most interested about the diet that QVC will be showing at the end of August. Are you able to let us have a few more details and also how do you fit it in with the Paul Mckenna programme!
With Best Wishes
Sarah

Hi Catherine,
I just want to start off by telling you that you are one of my *favourite* QVC presenters! You are just a truly lovely lady.
As for my three *must-have* desert island beauty products, they are:
1.) Philosophy Baby Grace Spray Fragrance (it completes me!)
2.) Bobbi Brown SPF 25 Tinted Moisturising Balm (it makes my skin so supple and comforted)
3.) Bare Escentuals Buxom Lipgloss (I’m addicted to the tingle!)
*Just realised* that all three of the above products are American brands…and I just happen to be *American*…from San Francisco – funny that!!!
Thanks for everything Catherine and QVC…keep up the good work!
-Shauna XXX

Thanks for all of your comments! I’ve enjoyed reading them. I had a great time with Alison. She not only knows her stuff but is a very caring and funny lady. A ‘top lass’ you might say.
Sonia, you were asking about my nails. Thanks for the kind compliments, by the way. I use nail envy as a base coat and change my polish about twice a week. I also use OPI’s avolplex oil or Leighton Denny’s slick tips every day. I usually use at least 2 coats of nail colour and then a very thick layer of Seche Vite as my top coat. This acts as a shield and also gives a thicker feel to the nails, almost like having gel overlays applied. I always say you have to keep trying until you find exactly the right solution for you as what might suit my nails may not suit someone else’s and vice versa. I have found Leighton Denny’s strengthening systems to be brilliant, too and I know people swear by Pro Strong also. Keep trying until you find what’s perfect for you. Good luck!
To those who have asked about the diet…I am not allowed to say what it is just yet but all will soon be revealed. I can say it is going to be a TSV in late August. I’ve been on it for the last 3 weeks and many colleagues have also. Everyone has had great results so far so I can’t wait to tell more. I still use many of my techniques from Paul McKenna’s system like eating slowly and putting down my knife and fork in between mouthfuls..more on the diet soon.
Lots of love,
Catherine x

Hi catherine just been watch in your show on Sunday 25th September at 2-3 pm you looked absolutely radiant could you let me know what skin care you use and make up, you looked so healthly and absolutely glowing (I must say you always do but there was something extra today)